Out of country with TP2?

[combatstang]

Hey guys as title says, going out of the country on vacation.. I have a verizon TP2..

How will I be able to use my phone?

Sorry for the newb question, just never been out of the country before. Called verizon and they weren't much help. told me its going to be like 2 dollars a minute and a crazy amount for texts and such..


Thanks,

[Mojary]

all you have to do is buy a local sim where you're going...pop it in...set your network to GSM and you're good to go. what verizon told you is what they charge if you use their international roaming.

[dj_mysha]

I have the TP2 on TELUS in Canada and it's a world phone, just like the Verizon version, meaning that it can operate in either CDMA or GSM mode. I can't speak for how Verizon operates, but on order to use a non-TELUS SIM in my phone, I first had to SIM unlock it, which you will be able to do here (thanks Olipro!). This will SIM/CID/security unlock your phone, allowing you to use any SIM, plus you'll be able to flash custom ROMs. It costs money, it's worth it.

You may also need to flash an unlocked radio in order to use US GSM bands, which you can find here (again, thanks Olipro!).

So now that your phone is all unlocked and ready to rock, you should be able to go pretty much anywhere in the world, pop in a local SIM and start calling. If you want to get really fancy, get yourself a SkypeIn number here and forward it to your phone number abroad. Then forward your local Verizon number to your SkypeIn number and people back in the US will be able to call you without paying international long distance.

[combatstang]

There is a sticker over the sim card if I remove it wont it void my warrenty? not that I care, but just curious... Plus how do I switch to GSM?

[dj_mysha]

Originally Posted by combatstang

There is a sticker over the sim card if I remove it wont it void my warrenty? not that I care, but just curious... Plus how do I switch to GSM?

There was no sticker over my SIM slot, but I'm with TELUS and you're with Verizon, so I don't know for sure...

To switch to GSM mode, bring up your dialer, tap on Menu/Options and go to the Network tab. Tap on the Mode of Operation drop-down and select GSM only.

[niteriderxp]

There is no sticker over the SIM card on the TP2, there is a thin piece of metal that retains it.
If you break the piece of metal, a SIM card will no longer be held in place.

To remove the SIM card place your stylus in the hole at the edge of the SIM slot and push it out.
There should be a diagram near the SIM card slot on how to do this.

In order to use the phone with a foreign SIM card, the phone has to be SIM unlocked (security unlocked).
Verizon will give you the unlock code for free if you call Verizon Global Services.
Your Verizon account should be in good standing for them to honor the request.
No need to use any hacks.

Voice roaming on Verizon's network is expensive.
If you are going to only one country it is more cost effective to get a local SIM card.

Data roaming is reasonably priced if you get Verizon GlobalEmail $65/m with a voice plan.
If you have a $30 data plan currently, it will cost you $35 more for global capability.
If you deactivate before a month, it will be prorated.
So if you go for two weeks, you might only end up paying $10-15 extra.

I have previously used VOIP over the global data plan to make calls.
It's not great quality but it sure beats paying $2-3 a minute.

Edit:
Here is a guide on replacing the SIM card...
http://www.myvusers.com/forums/htc-t...ouch-pro2.html

[Mojary]

from what i understand, the tp2 as an international phone already comes sim unlocked for international use....and that the unlock code VZW gives you just unlocks the sim so you can use sim the US GSM networks. just wondering is that not the case?

[drewcam888]

No verizon TP2 are sim locked for every carrier besides the verizon vodafone card. There sim unlock code allows for any international and us carrier. Just tell them you want to use a local sim card overseas

[cmajewsk]

Originally Posted by Mojary

from what i understand, the tp2 as an international phone already comes sim unlocked for international use....

I believe this is the case for the Sprint TP2.

[blackangst]

Originally Posted by cmajewsk

I believe this is the case for the Sprint TP2.

Yes that is true. Sprint is already international unlocked. But local prepaid SIM, pop it in, thats it. For VZN everything Ive read is, you call them, ask for the internation unlock code, and thats it.